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Yeah, and that’s half of the problem with speedway these days….too expensive for youngsters to get into. Everything’s got to be top notch from day one…..equipment and glamour wise. Gone are the days of picking up an old secondhand machine, strapping it to the back of a car and trying to get second half rides around the country. No mechanics, sponsors or fancy vans in them days and more people were able to have a go.

I come down from newport many times in a year to devon, this track is my fix for live speedway so I can't complain about anything I'm glad I can see speedway hope they do well

I can actually remember that match really well. It was one of the few matches that I enjoyed so much that I bought the video. This is from it. Andrew Silver in red.

Another advantage of going to Poole is extra fixtures, each year they make the play-offs, BSN & koc finals. If riders are confident they'll be near the top, they'll earn more but virtue of riding more.

One the main reasons why the Cairns chose Poole to start his career was race night and location . It is also helped that a local Poole sponsor will also be sponsoring Will in 2025

How much you get paid on paper is not as important as how much enters your bank account, and how quickly that happens. I reckon Poole are probably quite good at that bit.

Thank god for BSN

Better get used to having big gaps in the season never going to be like it used to be a weekly fix no wonder fans loose interest.

Really??…..coming out of retirement, is he?……..lol

I haven’t seen Cairns ride live, and the videos of him racing last season at Oxford don’t show him as a Leigh Adams or Craig Boyce. Riders who started as a two pointer and ended on a 9. I don’t think we should be bigging up young William to be a match winner. He is starting the season behind the rest and if he can pick up 4 points a meeting he will be doing his job. Too much expectation leads to failure, and I am sure there will be plenty lining up to laugh at him if he finds the going tough. Already there seems to be too much expectation on his young shoulders.

Still say Klindt will end up as Plymouth number 1, just makes sense with no Polish contract to start the season and having kit over here with King’s Lynn

Nathan Ablitt signs

We could easily do 2h 2a. Riders are dictating the sport in GB.Its not going to get any better soon.

Last season we had 7 blank Saturdays and finished League fixtures on August 10th, after starting on March 30th and having 6 meetings in first 7 weeks. Yet the powers that be reckon clubs can't do 2H 2A yes we were lucky weather wise but even so.

There’s a difference though. Poole have to make a profit or the Ford family doesn’t eat. Glasgow are virtually a loss making subsidiary of a multi million pound company.

Money is not the reason riders want to ride for Poole.

2 previous appearances from Killer at Berwick in 2010, scored 3 on his first visit, 9 on his second. He was a real prospect back then with an all action style. Progressed into the GP's where he seemed to inexplicably fall off a lot whenever other riders got near him. Then seemed to disappear from the scene internationally... has he been any good in recent years? On the face of it you think wow an ex-GP rider in the CL, there must be question marks over him after recent returnees to British Speedway and their struggles, I hope it works out for him, Berwick & Oxford.

I doubt you saw Boyce as a 16 year old, I think he was 20 when he arrived at Poole.

Probably won’t average that be at reserve once he gets an official average. Not the best behaved or well liked Aussie on the circuit but maybe he’s decided to screw the head a bit.

Mitchell cluff signs

I'd counter that with he's not likely to get extra rides as he would with a lower team. Probably get a maximum 5 rides per meeting whereas might get 7 most meetings elsewhere. Anyway it seems Poole's season seems to be resting on a 15 year old. Was very impressive at ashfield in the youth meeting and I'm sure be a success. But I don't see him coming in and scoring double figures immediately personally

Thought Worrall said he’s only doing championship.

If the comment about the final lineup coming in well below the limit, turns out to be the case then that will be so disappointing for most fans. Especially those that have purchased season tickets in the hope The Brummies were going to be a more competitive outfit in 2025.

I don't get why Poole fans are so defensive about suggestions they pay more than some other clubs. It makes perfect sense, they get very good crowds so are in the fortunate position of being able to pay a little bit more if the right man is available. Speedway riders are self-employed and have to maximise their earning potential, so it stands to reason they will sign for a well-run club who can pay a little bit more. I think anyone who suggests they pay well over the top is off the mark, as in anyone who says money isn't a deciding factor.

You are correct but many have said before Poole attract riders because they pay the most but there are other factors that attract riders to Poole. I dont mind how much they pay but the books have to be balanced, it is run as a business.

Why do people go to Poole then? In a sport where riders are basically self employed surely money will be a fairly important factor? Yes other things will inevitably go into a decision but I’m pretty sure it’ll a large part of the conversation for many of the riders. I’m pretty sure if any of us were to be offered a new job tomorrow then money would be a fairly important part of the discussion, why would it be so different for Championship level speedway riders?

That was the plan but is now unlikely according to Adams in this weeks Star. They’ve had a couple of “setbacks” and he now concedes they’re likely to come in under the limit more than the other clubs.

You're all arguing over something you know nothing about. Has anybody seen Cairns' contract? I doubt, so it's impossible to say whether he's getting paid loads or hardly anything.

If you think riders only come to Poole because of the money you are the deluded one.

Deluded if you think Poole are going to pay over the top for a rider when they moved down to save money! Maybe they offer more in terms of sponsorship.

Until next season when you’ll win a grand total of 0

Deluded if you think that

Don't worry I won't bother to respond to your posts next time

Sonny Springer. Another brilliant signing!!

Ivan Mauger was quoted as saying that his style needed "tidying" up as Andrew appeard to be riding four bends continually locking up and should have been smoother but I guess that's what made speedway so exciting back then to watch...individualist. Riders now look all the same.

So your saying Poole speedway is the only business the Ford family are involved with I dont think so

FORMER title winner Darryl Ritchings has opted to ride for Birmingham as part of their National Development Trophy team in his comeback campaign. The Wiltshire born racer is the first name confirmed for the Ductair Bulls’ side - the day after he was announced by Oxford in the third tier as he returns to shale racing for the first time in eight years. Ritchings was a part of the Brummies’ memorable 2016 team who won the National League and hasn’t raced competitively since he quit the sport part way through 2017. But whilst continuing with other motorsport disciplines whilst starting a family, he now has the speedway bug back and will be a very welcome face back at Perry Barr. Ductair Bulls team manager Laurence Rogers said: “I’ve known Darryl since he started racing and he attended my training schools at Newport initially. “He then rode for me for the Hornets and later Coventry Storm and he’s always been great to work with. “I saw him ride on the grass last year and we got talking and we recently discussed his comeback at the Speedway Show at Gaydon. “When we confirmed we were in the NDT, he was keen on coming back to Birmingham and it’s good to have him back. “With Oxford giving him a team spot in the NDL, he will be getting more track time which is just what he needs.” The Bulls are expected to name a second rider for their NDT side at Friday’s (December 13) BSSC Christmas Party at Aston Manor Cricket Club with full details available via the Birmingham Speedway Supporters Club Facebook page.

Of course it would Workington have a great track Poole don't, for a young rider looking to make strides in the sport Workington would be the better option unless ££££ come in to it.

Can we take the Barker / Morris / Ward thing to another thread now?

If there had been a suitable #1 with the appropriate CMA and affordability am pretty sure we would have had him. To say that candidates are thin on the ground appears to be an understatement. Even early on it did look like that was going to be the case and a change in strategy may be necessary in 2025. The way it seems at present it looks like Paco and 8.44 for two "strong" reserves as yet of unknown origin ? ( A.N. Other would not be a good look on a race suit ! ) 😎

The problem is that its a results based business and if Rider A doesn't have the kit and Rider B does they will get picked even if A has more ability. Then its over to the promotors, even at NL the requirement is to arrive with 2 bikes of good standard therefore a van is required and it goes on. The sport should be easier and more accessible to get into but with track time limited and the weasel actively shutting down training schools/amateur events whats the point? Could anyone hand on heart say to parents of a child looking to go into a form of motorsport that speedway is the best option?

http://www.gbspeedway.com/

JPB was definitely a natural on the bike but the biggest change he needed was attitude. Yes his bikes were rubbish but his preparation was worse. He was easily marketable to sponsors but the effort wasn't there so didn't even make it as far as Lewis Bridger.

ASH retired . James had bad grass accident and been having operations on his arm and unlikely to come back

Terrible signing, I said earlier numbers game is a smokescreen, I think they have made a real mess of this years team, Starke is well past his best, ridiculous to think he is a 5 pointer on a 3 point average. Vinnie is improving and getting better, way better than Starke.

to cut out any speculation on the subject Luke was asked at the last meeting of this season if he wanted to return. We felt that a different track would of benefitted him in his progress with oxford ,Leicester or redcar being the preferred options sadly none could fit him in thus leaving him without a space. This was a family decision and was fully discussed with Simon and Rob at Scunthorpe who were both supportive of the decision.

That's me 👮‍♂️🚓 This topic should be for slagging the 2025 Leicester team off 🦁 Merry Christmas 🎅🏿

Closest i could find was Luke Clifton who will be 43 next season.....although Rob Hollingsworth and Mick Skinner are both north of 60 and would still do a good job at reserve.

I for one am grateful that Scunthorpe are back again for another year. Whether they win or lose is a mute point because normally you are guaranteed a great night of racing. Too many on this forum (across all teams) are negative and critisise everything including general issue related to speedway, that also includes Rob and the management team, but I and every real speedway supporter who goes to Scunthorpe knows that Rob will do everything to keep speedway going irrespective of where it is. Lets get rid of the team blinkers and remember that speedway was and can be again a great family sport where everyone can go along, feel safe and enjoy some excitement on a track that is conducive to racing. Don't keep being negative, it does not help, if you want to critisise offer a solution, it's easy to moan.

There's loads of 3 point riders who guested in the NDL or rode in Nora matches to fill reserve spaces if needed: Owen Booth, Max Broadhurst, Billy Budd, Josh Couzins, Kieran Douglas, Jacob Fellows, Lee Harrison, Nathan Hargrave, Wayne Hutt, Chris Laidlaw, James Laker, Rhys Laker, Nick Laurence, Eli Meadows, Sam Ward, Morgan Williams, Charlie Wood & Sam Woods.